ROXBURY — Residents approved all 84 articles on a proposed 2025-26 municipal budget on March 16, according to Town Administrator Renee Hodsdon. Board Chair Tim Derouche, approved for a new three-year term at the meeting, said, “Everything is very close to last year. We had to raise some things.” Hodsdon said the new budget is […]
Bruce Farrin
Staff Writer
Bruce Farrin is editor for the Rumford Falls Times, serving the River Valley
with the community newspaper since moving to Rumford in 1986. In his early days, before computers, he was responsible for covering town government, police/fire, schools and sports, typed story copy onto special paper, then cut and waxed those articles onto pages by hand before they were prepped for press. He was the darkroom technician as well. Over three-plus decades, he has also been entrusted by locals to share defining moments in their lives, promoted the efforts of people working to improve their community, with his love of photography capturing children and adults at their best. When he's not writing, he's an avid walker, and has a lifetime love of America's pastime, baseball, and the study of statistics, becoming a leader nationally among 30 TPFS dynasty baseball leagues. He is a 1981 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, with a bachelor's degree in journalism.
Posted inLocal News, Rumford Falls Times
Children’s book author visits Dirigo Elementary School
PERU — Maine author Lynn Plourde visited the Dirigo Elementary School on March 18 to read students from pre-K to second grade, with all these students receiving an autographed Lynn Plourde book to take home with them. The Winthrop author, who has written more than 40 children’s books, tailored her presentations to the grade level […]
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Posted inLocal News, River Valley, Rumford Falls Times
Peru seeking candidates for Select Board, School Board
PERU — Town Clerk Deb Coudrain told the Select Board at the March 17 meeting that to date, no one has “taken out (nomination) papers for anything.” Nomination papers are available at the Town Office for one three-year term on the Select Board, one two-year term on the RSU 56 board of directors, and one […]
Posted inLocal News, Rumford Falls Times
Rumford voters asked for $50,000 to preserve American Legion and VFW post
RUMFORD — Each June, voters are asked to appropriate monies for non-profits through initiated articles as part of the annual town budget. This June, citizens will be asked to approve $50,000 to the American Legion Post 24, which is also housing the local VFW Post, which could no longer afford its building on Waldo Street. […]
Posted inNews, River Valley, Rumford Falls Times
Former middle school in Mexico razed
The spot will end up a parking lot for Mountain Valley Community School, which is slated to open in early 2026.
Posted inMaine, News, River Valley, Rumford Falls Times
Historic home razed in wind-swept fire in Rumford
Winds reportedly gusting to 40 mph carried embers that started a second fire at 33 Franklin St., the site of the Waldo Pettingill House, built in 1891. Pettingill was the first president of Oxford Paper Co.
Posted inLocal News, Rumford Falls Times
RSU 56 tasked with making cuts to trim proposed 2025-26 budget
DIXFIELD — The RSU 56 board of directors will be considering a number of cuts to trim the proposed 2025-26 school budget. At the board meeting on March 11, Supt. Pam Doyen said at the Feb. 25 board meeting, the school board directed the administrative team to come in at a 5 percent budget to […]
Posted inLocal News, Rumford Falls Times
Two teachers hired for Rumford Elementary School
RUMFORD — Directors of Regional School Unit 10 recently approved hiring two fifth grade teachers for Rumford Elementary School. Superintendent Deb Alden recommended Tracy Morin and Mary Malchisky for the positions. She said Morin is with Maine School Administrative District 44 in Bethel and has been an elementary school teacher the past 21 years. “We […]
Posted inBusiness, Local News, Maine, Oxford Hills, Rumford Falls Times
40 condo units to be built near Black Mountain in Rumford
Plans for Black Mountain Condo Village call for 20 buildings, each housing two units, with a selection of one-, two- and four-bedroom units.
Posted inMaine, News, River Valley, Rumford Falls Times, Schools & Education
Western Foothills school officials look to cut proposed 16% budget increase
Superintendent Deb Alden said the district has already made some reductions, and is aiming for an 8% increase.